Catholic Church's Stance on Immigration and Refugees

Statement from Bishop Deeley: Solidarity with Refugees

The executive order approved by President Trump last Friday has left many refugee families in Maine, as well as their family members still seeking entry into the United States, filled with anxiety and fear about what will happen to them. This time of grave difficulty for some of our brothers and sisters calls us to show our concern and solidarity.

As it has for the past 40 years and in keeping with Catholic social teaching, the Diocese of Portland stands behind the Refugee & Immigration Services program of Catholic Charities Maine, which helps individuals and families who flee from violence and come to America seeking compassion, care, stability, and peace. Extending ourselves to refugees is particularly important in Maine, where jobs and opportunities await their presence and contributions.

In this time of uncertainty and division, it is heartwarming to see our young people living their faith by enthusiastically striving to alleviate the suffering of many. For instance, during Catholic Schools Week, the students at St. Thomas School in Sanford will “welcome the stranger” by collecting supplies and donations for refugees receiving assistance from Refugee & Immigration Services. It is one of countless service projects and works of mercy presently on display throughout the state and country, inspiring and courageous efforts that truly define the greatness of our nation and answer our baptismal call to serve the most vulnerable among us, regardless of whether they are born in America or are new arrivals.

Please join me in asking God to protect all refugees in their travels. May they find a loving and welcoming people in our country, and may our kindness and care make us worthy of the refuge we all find in the Lord.

Catholic Charities Maine Stands in Solidarity with Refugees

Portland, ME -- In response to the news circulating about the possibility of significant changes to the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program, Stephen Letourneau, CEO of Catholic Charities Maine (CCM) stated that the Agency remains 100% committed to working with the refugee population here in Maine and providing a complete continuum of services.

“Our hearts go out to refugees, especially our clients here in Maine, and those who are currently awaiting reunification with their families,” said Letourneau. “We stand in solidarity with, and have tremendous compassion for the plight of refugees worldwide who are fleeing their home countries for fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality or political opinion — the freedoms we hold so dear here in the Unites States,” Letourneau added.

With refugees subject to the highest level of security checks of any traveler to the United States, CCM is hopeful the new administration will recognize that keeping America safe and welcoming refugees are not mutually exclusive.

“Caring for this most vulnerable population is not just our job, but fulfills our mission guided by Catholic social teaching to work for justice and care for the oppressed. We have a 40-year history of ‘welcoming the stranger’ through our Refugee & Immigration Services program and we fully-intend to carry on this proud tradition in partnership with the federal government,” Letourneau added.

WASHINGTON—President Donald J. Trump issued today an Executive Order addressing the U.S. refugee admissions program and migration to the United States, generally. The executive order virtually shuts down the refugee admissions program for 120 days, reduces the number of refugees to be admitted to the United States this year from 110,000 to 50,000 individuals, and indefinitely suspends the resettlement of Syrian refugees. In addition, it prioritizes religious minorities suffering from religious persecution, thereby deprioritizing all other persons fleeing persecution; calls for a temporary bar on admission to the United States from a number of countries of particular concern (all Muslim majority); and imposes a yet-to-be determined new vetting process for all persons seeking entry to the United States.

Regarding the Executive Order's halt and reduction of admissions, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, Texas, chairman of the Committee on Migration, stated:

"We strongly disagree with the Executive Order's halting refugee admissions. We believe that now more than ever, welcoming newcomers and refugees is an act of love and hope. We will continue to engage the new administration, as we have all administrations for the duration of the current refugee program, now almost forty years. We will work vigorously to ensure that refugees are humanely welcomed in collaboration with Catholic Charities without sacrificing our security or our core values as Americans, and to ensure that families may be reunified with their loved ones."

"The United States has long provided leadership in resettling refugees. We believe in assisting all those who are vulnerable and fleeing persecution, regardless of their religion. This includes Christians, as well as Yazidis and Shia Muslims from Syria, Rohingyas from Burma, and other religious minorities. However, we need to protect all our brothers and sisters of all faiths, including Muslims, who have lost family, home, and country. They are children of God and are entitled to be treated with human dignity. We believe that by helping to resettle the most vulnerable, we are living out our Christian faith as Jesus has challenged us to do."

Moving forward after the announcement, Bishop Vásquez concluded:

"Today, more than 65 million people around the world are forcibly displaced from their homes. Given this extraordinary level of suffering, the U.S. Catholic Bishops will redouble their support for, and efforts to protect, all who flee persecution and violence, as just one part of the perennial and global work of the Church in this area of concern."